The Hudson River School in Focus: Property from the Friedman Collection
Alfred Thompson Bricher was a painter associated with White Mountain art and the Hudson River School.
In the 1870s, he primarily did maritime themed paintings, with attention to watercolor paintings of landscape, marine, and coastwise scenery. He often spent summers in Grand Manan, where he produced such notable works as Morning at Grand Manan (1878). In 1879, Bricher was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member.
Thomas Worthington Whittredge was an American artist, a prominent figure of the Hudson River School, and is celebrated for his poetic forest scenes and serene landscapes. Born near Springfield, Ohio, Whittredge embarked on a journey that would see him become a household name in American art. His works are known for their depiction of the vastness and silence of the Plains, which he described as having a profound impact on him. He is particularly remembered for his trips to the West, which greatly influenced his art, leading to masterpieces that are treasured for their linear horizons and stark beauty.
Whittredge's legacy is preserved in the collections of esteemed institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris. His works, like 'The Trout Pool' (1870) and 'The Old Hunting Grounds' (1864), continue to enchant viewers with their tranquility and aesthetic appeal. His life, detailed in his autobiography, reflects a passionate dedication to capturing the essence of the American landscape.
For collectors, auctioneers, and experts in art and antiques, the works of Thomas Worthington Whittredge offer a timeless investment. His paintings are a testament to the Hudson River School's vision and skill, reflecting a deep connection to the American spirit. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Whittredge, sign up for updates and ensure you don't miss the opportunity to own a piece of American art history.
Samuel Colman was an American artist, celebrated for his contributions to the Hudson River School, an art movement known for its romantic portrayal of the American landscape. Born in Portland, Maine, in 1832, Samuel Colman moved to New York City during his youth, where he immersed himself in the art world, influenced by his father's profession as a bookseller and publisher of fine arts. He was a pupil of Asher Durand, a leading figure in the Hudson River School, and this mentorship significantly shaped his artistic direction.
Samuel Colman's work is recognized for its diversity, capturing various landscapes from the bustling harbors of Seville to the serene Green River Valley in Wyoming. His travels across Europe and the American West provided a rich tapestry of subjects for his paintings, reflecting his interest in both oil and watercolor mediums. Notably, his painting "Spanish Peaks, Southern Colorado, Late Afternoon" is an example of his mastery in depicting the American West, offering vital visual records of the nation's landscapes during the 19th century.
A notable figure in the art community, Samuel Colman was instrumental in the establishment of the American Watercolor Society, serving as its first president. His contributions to art were not limited to painting; he was also involved in interior design and wrote theoretical treatises on art. Colman's works are held in prestigious institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where they continue to inspire and captivate audiences with their portrayal of natural beauty and harmonious unity.
For art collectors and experts, understanding Colman's influence and the breadth of his work offers valuable insights into the evolution of American landscape painting. If you're intrigued by Samuel Colman's artistic legacy and wish to stay informed about sales and auction events related to his work, consider signing up for updates to enrich your collection and knowledge of this distinguished artist.
Thomas Worthington Whittredge was an American artist, a prominent figure of the Hudson River School, and is celebrated for his poetic forest scenes and serene landscapes. Born near Springfield, Ohio, Whittredge embarked on a journey that would see him become a household name in American art. His works are known for their depiction of the vastness and silence of the Plains, which he described as having a profound impact on him. He is particularly remembered for his trips to the West, which greatly influenced his art, leading to masterpieces that are treasured for their linear horizons and stark beauty.
Whittredge's legacy is preserved in the collections of esteemed institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris. His works, like 'The Trout Pool' (1870) and 'The Old Hunting Grounds' (1864), continue to enchant viewers with their tranquility and aesthetic appeal. His life, detailed in his autobiography, reflects a passionate dedication to capturing the essence of the American landscape.
For collectors, auctioneers, and experts in art and antiques, the works of Thomas Worthington Whittredge offer a timeless investment. His paintings are a testament to the Hudson River School's vision and skill, reflecting a deep connection to the American spirit. To stay informed about new product sales and auction events related to Whittredge, sign up for updates and ensure you don't miss the opportunity to own a piece of American art history.
Albert Bierstadt, a German-American painter, became renowned for his expansive and romanticized landscapes of the American West. Born in Solingen, Germany, in 1830, Bierstadt moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, at the age of two with his family. Largely self-taught, he initially worked as a drawing teacher before traveling to Europe to hone his skills. Bierstadt's European studies, particularly in Düsseldorf, greatly influenced his artistic style, equipping him with the techniques that he would later apply to his majestic depictions of the American wilderness.
Bierstadt's first major expedition to the West in 1859 marked the beginning of his lifelong fascination with the region. His works from this period, such as "The Rocky Mountains, Lander's Peak" (1863), captured the public imagination and established him as a leading figure in the Hudson River School. These paintings were celebrated for their detailed and idealized portrayal of the rugged landscapes and played a role in shaping the perception of the American West during a time of rapid territorial expansion and exploration.
Despite his success, Bierstadt's style fell out of favor towards the end of his career as tastes shifted towards realism and Impressionism. His later works, including "The Last of the Buffalo" (1888), were criticized for their perceived theatricality and excessive romanticism. Bierstadt's popularity waned, and he faced financial difficulties, but his legacy experienced a resurgence in the mid-20th century as interest in his technique and contributions to American art history grew.
For collectors and enthusiasts of American landscape painting, Bierstadt’s works offer a vivid, albeit embellished, glimpse into the 19th-century frontier spirit. His paintings are housed in major institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art, serving as testaments to his skill and vision.
To stay updated on exhibitions and sales related to Albert Bierstadt's works, consider signing up for alerts tailored to his artistic contributions. This subscription will keep you informed about new discoveries and auction events specifically linked to Bierstadt's enduring legacy.
John Frederick Kensett was an American landscape painter and engraver born in Cheshire, Connecticut. He was a member of the second generation of the Hudson River School of artists. Kensett's signature works are landscape paintings of New England and New York State, whose clear light and serene surfaces celebrate transcendental qualities of nature, and are associated with Luminism. Kensett's early work owed much to the influence of Thomas Cole, but was from the outset distinguished by a preference for cooler colors and an interest in less dramatic topography, favoring restraint in both palette and composition. The work of Kensett's maturity features tranquil scenery depicted with a spare geometry, culminating in series of paintings in which coastal promontories are balanced against glass-smooth water. He was a founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Jasper Francis Cropsey was an important American landscape artist of the Hudson River School.
Cropsey's interest in architecture continued throughout his life and was a strong influence in his painting, most evident in his precise arrangement and outline of forms. But Cropsey was best known for his lavish use of color and, as a first-generation member from the Hudson River School, painted autumn landscapes that startled viewers with their boldness and brilliance. As an artist, he believed landscapes were the highest art form and that nature was a direct manifestation of God. He also felt a patriotic affiliation with nature and saw his paintings as depicting the rugged and unspoiled qualities of America.
Jasper Francis Cropsey was an important American landscape artist of the Hudson River School.
Cropsey's interest in architecture continued throughout his life and was a strong influence in his painting, most evident in his precise arrangement and outline of forms. But Cropsey was best known for his lavish use of color and, as a first-generation member from the Hudson River School, painted autumn landscapes that startled viewers with their boldness and brilliance. As an artist, he believed landscapes were the highest art form and that nature was a direct manifestation of God. He also felt a patriotic affiliation with nature and saw his paintings as depicting the rugged and unspoiled qualities of America.
William Trost Richards was an American landscape artist. He was associated with both the Hudson River School and the American Pre-Raphaelite movement.
In the 1870s, he produced many acclaimed watercolor views of the White Mountains, several of which are now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Richards exhibited at the National Academy of Design from 1861 to 1899, and at the Brooklyn Art Association from 1863 to 1885. He was elected a full member of the National Academy in 1871.
John Frederick Kensett was an American landscape painter and engraver born in Cheshire, Connecticut. He was a member of the second generation of the Hudson River School of artists. Kensett's signature works are landscape paintings of New England and New York State, whose clear light and serene surfaces celebrate transcendental qualities of nature, and are associated with Luminism. Kensett's early work owed much to the influence of Thomas Cole, but was from the outset distinguished by a preference for cooler colors and an interest in less dramatic topography, favoring restraint in both palette and composition. The work of Kensett's maturity features tranquil scenery depicted with a spare geometry, culminating in series of paintings in which coastal promontories are balanced against glass-smooth water. He was a founder of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Jasper Francis Cropsey was an important American landscape artist of the Hudson River School.
Cropsey's interest in architecture continued throughout his life and was a strong influence in his painting, most evident in his precise arrangement and outline of forms. But Cropsey was best known for his lavish use of color and, as a first-generation member from the Hudson River School, painted autumn landscapes that startled viewers with their boldness and brilliance. As an artist, he believed landscapes were the highest art form and that nature was a direct manifestation of God. He also felt a patriotic affiliation with nature and saw his paintings as depicting the rugged and unspoiled qualities of America.
Sanford Robinson Gifford was an American landscape painter and a leading member of the second generation of Hudson River School artists. A highly-regarded practitioner of Luminism, his work was noted for its emphasis on light and soft atmospheric effects.
Jasper Francis Cropsey was an important American landscape artist of the Hudson River School.
Cropsey's interest in architecture continued throughout his life and was a strong influence in his painting, most evident in his precise arrangement and outline of forms. But Cropsey was best known for his lavish use of color and, as a first-generation member from the Hudson River School, painted autumn landscapes that startled viewers with their boldness and brilliance. As an artist, he believed landscapes were the highest art form and that nature was a direct manifestation of God. He also felt a patriotic affiliation with nature and saw his paintings as depicting the rugged and unspoiled qualities of America.
Frederic Edwin Church was an American landscape painter, renowned as a central figure of the Hudson River School. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Church became famous for his detailed and expansive landscapes which often incorporated a blend of realistic detail and dramatic lighting, epitomizing the Romantic approach to landscape painting.
Church's career was marked by his unique ability to blend meticulous natural observation with a grandiose sense of scale and drama. His paintings, such as "The Heart of the Andes" and "Niagara," showcased his skill in depicting vast and diverse natural environments with scientific accuracy and vivid imagination. These works were not just celebrations of natural beauty but also demonstrations of Church's deep engagement with the places he painted, often based on extensive travels and on-the-spot sketches.
Apart from his mastery in painting, Church also had a significant impact on cultural institutions and public spaces. He was a founding trustee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and served as a Parks Commissioner in New York City. His contributions went beyond the canvas, influencing both the cultural landscape of his time and the preservation of natural and historic sites through his later life efforts, including the establishment of his home, Olana, as a historic site.
For those interested in the ongoing legacy of Frederic Edwin Church, updates on exhibitions and related events can be obtained through subscriptions focused on his works. This is an excellent way for collectors and art enthusiasts to stay connected with the vibrant history and enduring impact of Church's art.
George Herbert McCord was an American painter known for his luminous landscapes and seascapes.
McCord studied at the National Academy of Design in New York and later in Paris under the guidance of the French Barbizon School. He became known for his ability to capture the changing effects of light and atmosphere in his landscapes and seascapes. He was particularly interested in the coastal areas of Long Island and the North Shore of Massachusetts, which he depicted in many of his paintings.
McCord was a member of several prominent art organizations, including the Society of American Artists and the American Watercolor Society. He exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and the Paris Salon.
Today, McCord's work can be found in the collections of museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. He is considered one of the leading American landscape painters of the late 19th century and his work continues to be admired for its luminosity and skillful rendering of light and atmosphere.
Martin Johnson Heade was an American painter known for his salt marsh landscapes, seascapes, and depictions of tropical birds (such as hummingbirds), as well as lotus blossoms and other still lifes. His painting style and subject matter, while derived from the romanticism of the time, are regarded by art historians as a significant departure from those of his peers.
Alfred Thompson Bricher was a painter associated with White Mountain art and the Hudson River School.
In the 1870s, he primarily did maritime themed paintings, with attention to watercolor paintings of landscape, marine, and coastwise scenery. He often spent summers in Grand Manan, where he produced such notable works as Morning at Grand Manan (1878). In 1879, Bricher was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member.
Francis Augustus Silva was an American Luminist painter of the Hudson River School. His specialty was marine scenes, particularly of the Atlantic coast, a genre in which he masterfully captured the subtle gradations of light in the coastal atmosphere. He focused on romantic scenes, avoiding depictions of seaside recreation, even when painting scenes at Coney Island, which was then already a popular recreational area.
Martin Johnson Heade was an American painter known for his salt marsh landscapes, seascapes, and depictions of tropical birds (such as hummingbirds), as well as lotus blossoms and other still lifes. His painting style and subject matter, while derived from the romanticism of the time, are regarded by art historians as a significant departure from those of his peers.
William Trost Richards was an American landscape artist. He was associated with both the Hudson River School and the American Pre-Raphaelite movement.
In the 1870s, he produced many acclaimed watercolor views of the White Mountains, several of which are now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Richards exhibited at the National Academy of Design from 1861 to 1899, and at the Brooklyn Art Association from 1863 to 1885. He was elected a full member of the National Academy in 1871.
William Bradford was an American romanticist painter, photographer and explorer, originally from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, near New Bedford. His early work focused on portraits of the many ships in New Bedford Harbor. In 1858, his painting New Bedford Harbor at Sunset was included in Albert Bierstadt's landmark New Bedford Art Exhibition.
He is known for his paintings of ships and Arctic seascapes. He was one of the first American painters to portray the frozen regions of the north.
Alfred Thompson Bricher was a painter associated with White Mountain art and the Hudson River School.
In the 1870s, he primarily did maritime themed paintings, with attention to watercolor paintings of landscape, marine, and coastwise scenery. He often spent summers in Grand Manan, where he produced such notable works as Morning at Grand Manan (1878). In 1879, Bricher was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member.